Police: Santa Cruz man attacked girlfriend, friend with hammer

SANTA CRUZ - Police responding to a reported domestic disturbance on the 1100 block of Broadway Thursday arrived to find a woman covered in blood and waving a hammer.

The woman, a 44-year-old Scotts Valley resident, told police she was visiting her friend at the home and had tried to intervene in a domestic dispute. The friend's live-in boyfriend, William Johnsen, allegedly attacked his girlfriend, hitting her and threatening her with a hammer. When the friend tried to break up the fight, Johnsen apparently threw the hammer at her head, Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Steve Clark said

Police arrested 42-year-old Johnsen on suspicion of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. He was also arrested on suspicion of drug possession after police found a small amount of methamphetamine on him, Clark said.
Johnsen was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail.